Mack Brown Fired By UNC Football After 6 Seasons Amid 6-4 Start
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Mack Brown has been fired as head football coach at the University of North Carolina after six seasons, the school announced Monday.
The decision comes after the Tar Heels started the 2023 season with a 6-4 record, including a 3-3 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Brown, 72, went 56-43 overall at UNC, including a 36-27 record in the ACC. He led the Tar Heels to four bowl games, including the Orange Bowl in 2022.
Background and Context
Brown was hired at UNC in 2018 after a successful stint at Texas, where he won the Big 12 championship in 2005 and 2009. He was tasked with rebuilding a Tar Heels program that had struggled in recent years.
Brown’s first season at UNC was a success, as the Tar Heels went 7-6 and earned a bowl berth. However, the program has not taken the next step under his leadership, finishing with a losing record in each of the past three seasons.
Key Facts and Latest Updates
The Tar Heels’ 6-4 start to the 2023 season was not enough to save Brown’s job. UNC’s three ACC losses came by a combined 10 points, and the team was ranked No. 21 in the AP Top 25 entering Saturday’s game against Pittsburgh.
“This was a difficult decision, but it is one that we believe is in the best interests of our football program,” UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham said in a statement. “We appreciate Coach Brown’s hard work and dedication over the past six years.”
Analysis and Impact
Brown’s firing comes as a surprise to many, given his success at Texas and his early success at UNC. However, the Tar Heels’ recent struggles and their inability to compete for an ACC championship have led to his dismissal.
“I am disappointed that we were not able to achieve more success at UNC,” Brown said in a statement. “I want to thank the players, coaches, and staff for their hard work and dedication. I wish them all the best in the future.”
Conclusion
Mack Brown’s firing at UNC is a sign that the Tar Heels are looking for a change in direction. The program has not met expectations under his leadership, and the school is hoping to find a coach who can take them to the next level.
